Director
NEW Public Health Services
L
ike everyone joining
As she considered the opportu-
scholar and my mother worked as
the OC Health Care
nity in PHS, Dr. Bredehoft said the
a translator in the US Embassy.
Agency (HCA) during
pandemic was a part of her thinking.
We were able to get about 24
a pandemic, Dr.
“First and foremost, I wanted to give
family members out. We landed
Margaret Bredehoft has had to hit
back to the country that has given
in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas where I
the ground running. And as Deputy
me so much. We are living in a time
remember feeding chickens. We
Agency Director of Public Health
with much uncertainty and dispari-
also had a visit from President
Services (PHS) she’s had to do it
ties. As a lifelong public health
Gerald Ford and my grandfather
while leading one of the HCA’s most
advocate, it is an essential function
presented him with one of his
public-facing divisions.
and core responsibility to help bring
paintings.”
Serving the public though, has
peace of mind and well-being to
Dr. Bredehoft said the painting
our communities. There is no better
is an American eagle spreading
time for PHS to serve its mission
its wings over three chicks which
and personal pursuit to help shape
than during a pandemic.”
are black, red and yellow-repre-
the health, well-being and vitality
Dealing with uncertainty and
senting different ethnicities. The
of our community and the people
disparities have been a part of Dr.
that reside here. What better way
Bredehoft’s life since childhood. At
to serve than be part of an amazing
the age of 3 and a half, her family
team at the HCA and strive to
was among the first evacuated
obtain it as a family heirloom.
achieve health for a better tomorrow
from Vietnam on board a Flight
Art and creativity are a part of her
together.”
to Freedom. “My father was a
life. Dr. Bredehoft describes herself
been the focus of her career. “It has always been my professional
2
What’s Up Newsletter
painting was retired from the Ford Presidential Museum and Dr. Bredehoft’s family is hoping to
